Rugby: Old mates take another step together

By CHRIS RATTUE

They have been mates since their earliest school days, and have spent much of their lives in the same football sides.

And last night, North Harbour's boom 23-year-old forwards Troy Flavell and Ron Cribb were named in their first All Black squad in what could be the beginning of two lengthy test careers.

Both were certainties for selection. Cribb, who ended up with the Crusaders after the Blues' extraordinary decision not to include him in their Super 12 squad, has added finesse to his raw running power this season.

And Flavell, the ever-aggressive flanker-cum-lock, has toned down his game just enough to no longer be too much of a penalty danger.

The pair were raised in West Auckland and have been in the same group of mates since they were five.

Flavell said they played rugby league for Te Atatu until they were eight, when they joined the Massey rugby club. "We lived only about 100 metres away from each other - we were always in each other's houses."

Cribb, who still played some rugby league in his teens, and Flavell both played for the Massey High School first XV and the local club. The only time they have opposed each other was when the Blues played the Crusaders in Christchurch this year.

"It might sound a bit silly but we both picked each other up off the ground during the game and said, "Are you right, bro?' We made sure we were okay," says Flavell.


While former national Colt Flavell has toned his game down, he showed from the opening Super 12 round that he still relied heavily on his aggressive approach when he was yellow carded for a late, high tackle. Former All Black prop turned commentator John Drake reckoned during the season: "Every year they change the rules and every year Troy Flavell still plays the same way."

But Flavell said he had worked hard on his discipline, knowing that the excesses could work against his rising to the top.


While veteran prop Craig Dowd from Auckland has held his place, the northern flag has been kept flying by the selection of newcomers Cribb, Flavell and Doug Howlett.

The 21-year-old Howlett said: "It was pretty nerve-racking waiting for the announcement. I'm glad I'm an outside back and heard my name early. The easy part is over now. The real hard work lies ahead."

Howlett, who plays on both wings and can cover at fullback, was in a national secondary school side with Cribb (and fellow newcomer Leon MacDonald) that toured Britain in 1995.

He has been earmarked as a top prospect for some time, playing for the New Zealand under-16, secondary schools and Colts sides. Howlett became the first schoolboy to play for Auckland since 1918 when he played a pre-season match, aged 17, in 1996.

But the presence of players like Jonah Lomu, Joeli Vidiri, Brian Lima and Jeremy Stanley initially closed the door on him at the Blues. Howlett made his Super 12 debut for the Highlanders in 1997 and played for the Hurricanes the following season.

Howlett was also a top young athlete, winning national secondary schools sprint and hurdle titles, and track work still forms much of his off-season training.